All Things Detroit comes to Eastern Market

All Things Detroit, a small business showcase, will return to Eastern Market on Nov. 6 with more than 200 local artists, crafters, artisans, food vendors and food trucks.

According to the All Things Detroit website, the organization “has earned its place as one of the city’s most exciting events for small businesses to increase brand awareness.”

Christian Riley, a Wayne State marketing and accounting major, said it is important to support local business because it aids in the revitalization of the city.

“It would be nice to see how it once was,” Riley said. “Supporting local businesses will give other people jobs and income, which can help bring back Detroit.”

All Things Detroit was established in 2013 by Jennyfer Crawford, owner of Ask Jennyfer, an event management and marketing firm in Detroit.

Crawford said the event is very successful for small businesses because it promotes and advertises vendors that participate, helping them to build a customer base. She said she promotes the small business on Ask Jennyfer social media pages and exposes them to news coverage.

“When you're supporting small businesses and local artists, you're supporting someone just like yourself," Crawford said. "Everyone has something [he or she is] passionate about and really enjoy doing, so when you're supporting a local business, you're supporting someone's passion and dream."

Crawford said 190 vendors participated in last year’s event and 206 vendors will participate in this year’s event. She also said that other cities participate in the events.

“We don’t have just Detroit businesses that participate, we have businesses that come from Muskegon, Kalamazoo [and] Traverse City [to] participate in All Things Detroit,” she said.

Vendors range from food service, apparel, custom crafts and cosmetics such as Branded by Detroit and Lula Bre’s Sweet Eats.

The first 1,000 guests will receive a free All Things Detroit tote bag. There will be free face painting and a magic show available for kids.

The event will also feature performances from Tommy Speaks and the Step O.F.F Dance Studio, and will also be giving away prizes to the customers.

Crawford said her favorite parts of the event is to see people taking pictures of the product that they purchased, interacting with the vendors and reading positive reviews.

“We build relationships with the business that participate and we love the customers, too. We just want people to come and really enjoy it,” she said

Rickey Kirksey, a WSU mechanical engineer major, said that he is excited about the event and he plans to attend.

“I find art to be really exquisite and entertaining, not to mention there will be free food at the event, so I will definitely be there,” he said.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advance tickets will be $5 and $7 at the door, and children up to 12 are admitted free.

For more information, go to iloveallthingdetroit.com or download the All Things Detroit mobile app.

Link: https://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/arts_and_entertainment/article_36b2b02e-a2b2-11e6-8be8-071f87c53cf3.html